Kia Sportage 2.0 CRDi 4×4 185 GT Line, a luxury SUV

The new Kia Sportage 2.0 CRDi 4×4 debuts in our tests with the 2.0 Diesel 185 hp, all-wheel drive and an unbeatable equipment.

The Kia Sportage is an SUV that is now in its fourth generation. If the early 90’s a little graceful Korean SUV, designed to satisfy Asian tastes and also derived from the Mazda Bongo, now you get a model of high quality, European design and manufacturing, equipped with a high technological burden well above what the average vehicle offers the market. recall should return to its origins as in these 23 years it has gone from being a fairly cheap quality car and a fashion model and perfectly integrated into the kind of car you are looking at a continent like ours. I would even say that this latest generation He puts on the ropes German or French cars with more prestige and pedigree. For its evolution uses a formula that brands such as Volkswagen has been running them for generations; changes, improves, but does not appear at first glance a radical transformation as traditionally made other brands such as Renault with Mégane, surprising each generation with a different line.

Thus we see how the Kia Sportage He has already found its volume and apparently size does not change too much with the previous generation. There is no radical change in concept and much less in its proportions and if you do not compare your measurements to the centimeter, you might even think that this is an update of what was, that it was a very correct product. However it is a new car, even passes its aerodynamic resistance 0.35 to 0.33. The evolution is mainly note what is not seen, from soundproofing to the materials used, from reducing vibration to the touch of the controls; It has improved markedly.

It is true that as a first test of the fourth generation have begun by GT Line version, the most comprehensive in regard to power, traction, equipment or services and that helps you get a better first impression. 185 horses, AWD, the top finishing range GT Line Kia Sportage and starting price of 38,000 euros will be certainly less demand versions of its range, the price being a handicap that equates him most recognized brand models and, even better product, we know that the “marquitis” often does not understand quality.

The outer size of the Kia Sportage has varied mainly in the battle, 3 cm greater, and the length, 4 cm longer. In the other measures the variation is small. Inside virtually it maintains levels since work has focused look more luggage. I already had a good space for rear occupants, so you lose 2 cm in legroom has not earned it a problem. A change has gained altitude, which also badly needed, and trunk, which grows in some interesting 130 liters and 540 liters starts reparapinchazos version with kit. Now exceeds the CX-5 in 10 liters, improves the Kuga in 40 liters and 15 liters yields to a Qashqai and 45 versus CR-V. The rear bench is not slippery, so to make the space more variable load Kia have chosen 7 different positions (23 to 37 degrees, plus fully folded) to recline the seatback; in the bottom 3 it would have sufficed, but not more. When abates backs the flat bottom is, which is appreciated when bulky items are transported.

The interior quality of Kia Sportage liked it, especially materials used. The dashboard is plastic, but the best plastic I found in the market. It is soft, pleasant to the touch and even simulates a seam decoration as if upholstered by hand. If this dashboard take him a Jaguar XE, hopefully, British alabaríamos quality finish, but in this case it takes a firm less glamorous a priori. You will not see a bad fit or a piece desentone. Ergonomics is good and there is plenty of room. A rear seats only see them backing slight defect in its central part, somewhat more uncomfortable than in the side seats. The equipment has everything from heating or cooling the steering wheel in the seats to a complete multimedia equipment. You will not miss anything missing. Of course, if you want a Kia Sportage AWD you can only opt for this combination finishing with either diesel 185 or 136 horses or petrol 177-horsepower engine, away enough of the 17,000 euros it costs the cheapest Sportage that sale advertising with the image of GT Line.

With respect to the previous generation Kia Sportage improved the whole dynamic part, regarding competition delivers exquisite quality rolling with a cabin sound proofing and low vibrations. Stability is correct and electronic aids do their job if necessary. The drive system has a button to lock the center differential to only be used in situations of very complicated adhesion, situations for which the sport tire in tire 245/45 19 is not intended. In any case it is, again, something that sum and no rest, like descent control. Off-road it operates well in ways that are not broken, with more complication chance of a saloon; at the end the limit is put asphalt tires and profile. These limitations turn around on the tarmac, where that same tire will help to record the best braking distances category, together with a good brake system adapted to 1,743 kg weighed 19 kg more than before with more equipment.

Kia Sportage address has excessive “electric touch” that you have to get used to, but otherwise very nice on your driving smoothness with which it all. It is considerably faster than before to equal engine and faster than most of its rivals. This means that with the car at full load not we demand more power for overtaking safely. Consumption is its unfinished business, and that has improved over the previous thanks to engine tweaks and developments of change. It does not have a critical spending, but consume more than most of its rivals; lacks Start / Stop, probably the only electronic device that lacks. In this generation has increased its capacity in 4 liters reservoir, which has been enhanced autonomy.

The summary is that it is a good car, with arguments to become the benchmark in the segment, especially if you opt for a cheaper engine. In your first week with him probably you find every day a new electronic gadget, because you have all. Probably with the engine of 136 horses is still a better product, because this type of car not many features demanded 3,000 euros and yes it costs less appreciated. I stay with refinement, pleasure to use and, above all, complete equipment. The premium brands are increasingly being left with fewer arguments than the value and brand image.

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